Resiliently expandable, releasably-engaging connecting unit and cap having the same

ABSTRACT

Disclosed herein is a releasably-engaging connecting unit with resilient expansion coming from its unique structure, and a cap having the same. 
     The releasably-engaging connecting unit comprises a first connecting body anchored to a first portion and a second connecting body anchored to a second portion so as to connect the first portion to the second portion in a releasably-engaging manner. The first connecting body comprises: a first frame unit defining an elongated, outer periphery and comprising upper and lower frames; a plurality of first supporting members, each having two ends, one connected to the upper frame of the first frame unit and the other connected to the lower frame thereof, wherein the first supporting members are arranged at a regular distance and are inclined with respect to a center axis of the first frame unit in a longitudinal direction; a plurality of second supporting members, each having two ends, one connected to the upper frame of the first frame unit and the other connected to the lower frame thereof, wherein the second supporting members are arranged at a regular distance and are inclined with respect to the center axis of the first frame unit in the longitudinal direction, and wherein the second supporting members intersect the first supporting members; and a plurality of projections arranged at a regular distance on a straight line connecting intersections of the first supporting members and the second supporting members, and secured to the first supporting members and to the second supporting members. The second connecting body comprises a plurality of insertions holes at positions corresponding to position where the plurality of projections is formed.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application claims the priority of Korean Patent Application No. 2013-0143331 filed on Nov. 22, 2013, in the Korean Intellectual Property Office, the disclosure of which is incorporated herein by reference.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

The present invention relates to a releasably-engaging connecting unit, and a cap having the same. More particularly, the present invention relates to a releasably-engaging connecting unit with resilient expansion coming from its unique structure, and a cap having the same.

2. Description of the Related Art

A baseball-style cap with a visor is a popular fashion item worn by everyone regardless of gender or age. Since different wearers have different head sizes and different preference of tightness when they are wearing caps, adjustment members are provided to baseball-style caps so as to adjust the inner circumference of the baseball-style caps.

Typically, a baseball-style cap has a non-contiguous portion (i.e., an opening) at a lower circumference in the back of the cap, which is opposite to its visor, and has a connecting unit to complete the encircling of the lower circumference in a releasably-engaging manner, thereby adjusting the size of the lower circumference of the cap. The connecting unit adjusts the size by inserting studs arranged in the center portion of a first connecting body into insertion holes arranged in the center portion of a second connecting body.

A baseball-style cap with such a connecting unit, however, is not resiliently expandable, and thus its size cannot be adjusted precisely. Therefore, the lower circumference of the cap can only be roughly adjusted and thus the cap is not satisfactorily comfortable to wear.

In order to overcome this, there has been proposed a free size cap that has an elastic band attached to the inner circumference of the crown formed of a non-elastic fabric to form an outer portion of the cap so that the cap can fit head sizes to a certain extent (see Korean Patent No. 10-0092219).

However, although the size of such a free size cap can be adjusted elastically to a certain extent, it cannot fit a head size beyond that extent.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

In view of the above, an object of the present invention is to provide a releasably-engaging connecting unit that allows for adjustment in a longitudinal direction in a large range, as well as in a small range by using resilient expansion, and a cap having the same.

It should be noted that objects of the present invention are not limited to the above-mentioned object; and other objects of the present invention will be apparent to those skilled in the art from the following descriptions.

According to an aspect of the present invention, there is provided a releasably-engaging connecting unit comprising a first connecting body anchored to a first portion and a second connecting body anchored to a second portion so as to connect the first portion to the second portion in a releasably-engaging manner. The first connecting body comprises: a first frame unit defining an elongated, outer periphery and comprising upper and lower frames; a plurality of first supporting members, each having two ends, one connected to the upper frame of the first frame unit and the other connected to the lower frame thereof, wherein the first supporting members are arranged at a regular distance and are inclined with respect to a center axis of the first frame unit in a longitudinal direction; a plurality of second supporting members, each having two ends, one connected to the upper frame of the first frame unit and the other connected to the lower frame thereof, wherein the second supporting members are arranged at a regular distance and are inclined with respect to the center axis of the first frame unit in the longitudinal direction, and wherein the second supporting members intersect the first supporting members; and a plurality of projections arranged at a regular distance on a straight line connecting intersections of the first supporting members and the second supporting members, and secured to the first supporting members and to the second supporting members. The second connecting body comprises a plurality of insertions holes at positions corresponding to position where the plurality of projections is formed.

The second connecting body may comprise: a second frame unit defining an elongated, outer periphery and comprising upper and lower frames; a plurality of third supporting members, each having two ends, one connected to the upper frame of the first frame unit and the other connected to the lower frame thereof, wherein the third supporting members are arranged at a regular distance and are inclined with respect to a center axis of the second frame unit in a longitudinal direction; and a plurality of fourth supporting members, each having two ends, one connected to the upper frame of the first frame unit and the other connected to the lower frame thereof, wherein the fourth supporting members are arranged at a regular distance and are inclined with respect to the center axis of the second frame unit in the longitudinal direction, and wherein the fourth supporting members intersecting the third supporting members. The plurality of insertion holes may be formed between intersections of the third supporting members and the fourth supporting members.

The arrangement of the first supporting members and the second supporting members of the first connecting body may be identical to the arrangement of the third supporting members and the fourth supporting members of the second connecting body.

The first and second supporting members may have a straight line shape and may be symmetric to each other with respect to the center axis of the first frame unit in the longitudinal direction.

The projections may be arranged on intersections of the first supporting members and the second supporting members or may be arranged on sub-supporting bodies occupying spaces between intersections of the first supporting members and the second supporting members.

The first and second supporting members may have a straight line shape and are symmetric to each other with respect to the center axis of the first frame unit in the longitudinal direction, and the projections may have a rectangular cross-section, each having a shoulder portion formed at an end thereof.

The first connecting body may be made of an elastic material.

The first and second connecting body may be made of elastic materials.

According to another aspect of the present invention, there is provided a cap comprising the releasably-engaging connecting unit according to any one of the above-mentioned aspects.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The above and other aspects, features and other advantages of the present invention will be more clearly understood from the following detailed description taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in which:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view schematically showing a separated connecting unit according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 2 is a plan view schematically showing a first connecting body of FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a plan view schematically showing a second connecting body of FIG. 1;

FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view taken along line A-A′ of FIG. 2;

FIG. 5 is a perspective view schematically illustrating a cap employing the connecting unit of FIG. 1; and

FIG. 6 is a plan view schematically showing a first connecting body of a connecting unit according to another exemplary embodiment of the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

Advantages and features of the present invention and methods to achieve them will become apparent from exemplary embodiments described below in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings. However, the present invention is not limited to exemplary embodiments disclosed herein but may be implemented in various different forms. The exemplary embodiments are provided for making the invention of the present invention thorough and for fully conveying the scope of the present invention to those skilled in the art. Therefore, the scope of the present invention is defined only by the claims.

As used herein, a phrase “an element A on an element B” refers to that the element A may be disposed directly on the element B and/or the element A may be disposed indirectly on the element B via another element C.

Although terms such as ‘first,’ second,' or the like may be used to describe various elements, the elements are not to be construed as being limited to the terms. Theses terms are used to merely distinguish one element from another. Accordingly, as used herein, a first element may be a second element within the technical scope of the present invention.

Like reference numerals denote like elements throughout the descriptions.

The drawings are not to scale and the relative dimensions of various elements in the drawings are depicted schematically and not necessarily to scale.

Features of various exemplary embodiments of the present invention may be coupled or combined partially or totally. As will be easily appreciated by those skilled in the art, technically various interactions and operations are possible. Various exemplary embodiments can be practiced individually or in combination.

Hereinafter, exemplary embodiments of a connection unit of the present invention will be described with reference to the accompanying drawings.

FIG. 1 is a perspective view schematically showing a separated connecting unit according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention; FIG. 2 is a plan view schematically showing a first connecting body of FIG. 1; and FIG. 3 is a plan view schematically showing a second connecting body of FIG. 1. Further, FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view taken along line A-A′ of FIG. 2; and FIG. 5 is a perspective view schematically illustrating a cap employing the connecting unit of FIG. 1.

A configuration of a connecting unit 100 according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS. 1 to 5.

Referring to FIG. 1, the connecting unit 100 according to the exemplary embodiment of the present invention includes a first connecting body 110 and a second connecting body 130.

The first and second connecting bodies 110 and 130 may be coupled with each other in a releasably-engaging manner. By way of coupling these two connecting bodies 110 and 130, portions connected to ends E of the two connecting bodies 110 and 130 can be connected to each other.

Referring specifically to FIGS. 1 and 2, the first connecting body 110 includes a first frame unit 111, a plurality of first supporting members 115, and a plurality of second supporting members 120, and a plurality of projections 125.

The first frame unit 111 defines an elongated, outer periphery of the first connecting body 110, and includes an upper frame 112 and a lower frame 113.

The first supporting members 115 are arranged spaced apart from one another, preferably at a regular distance as in this exemplary embodiment. Each of the first supporting members 115 has two ends, one connected to the upper frame 112 of the first frame unit 111 and the other connected to the lower frame 113 thereof, and is inclined with respect to the center axis C of the first frame unit 111 in the longitudinal direction. In this exemplary embodiment, the first supporting members 115 are inclines with respect to the center axis C by 45° in a clockwise direction. However, the slope may be 30°, 60° or the like depending on conditions such as the material of the first supporting member 115 or a desired elastic force.

The second supporting members 120, similarly to the first supporting members 115, are arranged spaced apart from one another, preferably at a regular distance as in this exemplary embodiment. Each of the second supporting members 120 has two ends, one connected to the upper frame 112 of the first frame unit 111 and the other connected to the lower frame 113 thereof, and is inclined with respect to the center axis C of the first frame unit 111 in the longitudinal direction. The second supporting members 120 are arranged so that they intersect the first supporting members 115. In this exemplary embodiment, the second supporting members 120 are inclined with respect to the center axis C by 135° in the clockwise direction. However, the slope may be 120°, 150° or the like depending on conditions such as the material of the second supporting member 120 or a desired elastic force.

It is desirable that first supporting members 115 and the second supporting members 120 are symmetric to each other with respect to the center axis C as in this exemplary embodiment, for the reason that resilience force (i.e., elasticity force) by rigidity or elasticity of the first supporting members 115 and the second supporting members 120 act on the center axis C. However, it is merely illustrative and the first supporting members 115 and the second supporting members 120 may not be symmetric to each other.

In addition, although the first supporting members 115 and the second supporting members 120 may have a linear shape as in this exemplary embodiment, it is to be understood that the shape of them is not limited thereto but may be various shapes including a curve shape. Detailed descriptions thereon will be given with reference to FIG. 6.

The projections 125 are arranged on a straight line connecting intersections of the first supporting members 115 and the second supporting members 120 (in this exemplary embodiment, an imaginary straight line along the center axis C), are secured to the first supporting members 115 and to the second supporting members 120, and are arranged at a regular distance. The projections 125 are inserted into insertion holes 145 of the second connecting body 130, which are to be described below, to thereby interconnect the first connecting body 110 with the second connecting body 130.

The projections 125 may be formed on intersections of the first supporting members 115 and the second supporting members 120. Alternatively, referring to FIG. 4, as illustrated in this exemplary embodiment, the projections 125 may be formed on sub-supporting bodies 116 that occupy spaces between intersections of the first supporting members 115 and the second supporting members 120. It is desirable that the projections 125 are formed on the sub-supporting bodies 116 as in this exemplary embodiment, for the reason that the holes formed by the first supporting members 115 and the second supporting members 120 of the first connecting body 110 and the holes (including the insertion holes 145) formed by the third supporting members 135 and the fourth supporting members 140 of the second connecting body 130 are superimposed after they are coupled, thereby providing aesthetically consistent design.

The shape of the projections 125, seen from the top, is determined by the shape of the insertion holes 145 of the second connecting bodies 130, which is to be described below. In this exemplary embodiment, the insertion holes 145 have a rectangular shape, and accordingly the projections 125 have a rectangular cross-section. Further, referring to FIG. 4, it is desirable that a shoulder portion 126 is formed along the outer periphery of an end of a projection 125 so as to prevent the projection 125 from deviating from an insertion hole, once it has been inserted into the insertion hole 145.

Now, a configuration of the second connecting body 130, which is releasably-engaged with the above-described first connecting body 110, will be described.

Referring to FIGS. 1 to 3, the second connecting body 130 may have generally the same shape as the first connecting body 110. Namely, the second connecting body 130 may have all the elements of the first connecting body 110 excluding the projections 125.

Referring specifically to FIGS. 1 and 3, the second connecting body 130 includes a second frame unit 131, a plurality of third supporting members 135, and a plurality of fourth supporting members 140, and insertion holes 145.

The second frame unit 131 defines an elongated, outer periphery of the second connecting body 130, and includes an upper frame 132 and a lower frame 133.

The third supporting members 135 are arranged spaced apart from one another, preferably at a regular distance as in this exemplary embodiment. Each of the third supporting members 135 has two ends, one connected to the upper frame 132 of the second frame unit 131 and the other connected to the lower frame 133 thereof, and is inclined with respect to the center axis C of the second frame unit 132 in the longitudinal direction. In this exemplary embodiment, the third supporting members 135 are inclined with respect to the center axis C by 45° in a clockwise direction. However, the slope may be 30°, 60° or the like depending on conditions such as the material of the third supporting member 135 or a desired elastic force.

The fourth supporting members 140, similarly to the third supporting members 135, are arranged spaced apart from one another, preferably at a regular distance as in this exemplary embodiment. Each of the fourth supporting members 140 has two ends, one connected to the upper frame 132 of the first frame unit 131 and the other connected to the lower frame 133 thereof, and is inclined with respect to the center axis C of the second frame unit 131 in the longitudinal direction. The fourth supporting members 140 are arranged so that they intersect the third supporting members 135. In this exemplary embodiment, the fourth supporting members 140 are inclined with respect to the center axis C by 135° in the clockwise direction. However, the slope may be 120°, 150° or the like depending on conditions such as the material of the fourth supporting member 145 or a desired elastic force.

It is desirable that third supporting members 135 and the fourth supporting members 140 are symmetric to each other with respect to the center axis C as in this exemplary embodiment, for the reason that resilience force (i.e., elasticity force) by rigidity or elasticity of the third supporting members 135 and the fourth supporting members 140 act on the center axis C. However, it is merely illustrative and the third supporting members 135 and the fourth supporting members 140 may not be symmetric to each other.

In addition, although the third supporting members 135 and the fourth supporting members 140 may have a linear shape as in this exemplary embodiment, it is to be understood that the shape of them is not limited thereto but may be various shapes including a curve shape.

In this exemplary embodiment, the arrangement of the third supporting members 135 and the fourth supporting members 140 is identical to that of the first supporting members 115 and the second supporting members 120. In this instance, when the first connecting body 110 and the second connecting body 130 are coupled with each other, holes formed in the connecting bodies 110 and 130 are coincident with one another where the second connecting body 130 overlay the first connecting body 110. This makes the appearance neat and facilitates sweat discharge through these holes from the back side of a head to the outside. However, the arrangement of the third supporting members 135 and the fourth supporting members 140 may not be identical to that of the first supporting members 115 and the second supporting members 120.

The insertion holes 145 are arranged between intersections of the third supporting members 135 and the fourth supporting members 140 at a regular distance along the center axis C. The above-described projections 125 of the first connecting body 110 may be inserted into the insertion holes 145.

Although the first connecting body 110 and the second connecting body 130 may be made of a plastic material, preferably they are made of an elastic material. However, even if the first connecting body 110 and the second connecting body 130 are not made of an elastic material, the first to fourth supporting members 115, 120, 135 and 140 can still provide resilient expansion with their own rigidity due to their structure. Therefore, the first connecting body 110 and the second connecting body 130 may not be made of an elastic material as long as they have the above-described structure.

Additionally, the present invention may be practiced with the first connecting body 110 having the above-described configuration and with the second connecting body 130 having insertion holes only, instead of having the above-described configuration. In this instance, only the first connecting body 110 provides resilient expansion.

Hereinafter, the principle of how resilient expansion can be provided by the connecting unit 100 having the above-described configuration will be described.

As shown in FIG. 5, the projections 125 of the first connecting body 110 are inserted into insertion holes 145 of the second connecting body 130 and thereby the first connecting body 110 is coupled with the second connecting body 130. If force is applied in a direction that the two ends E push away each other, the projections 125 come in contact with the third supporting members 135 and with the fourth supporting members 140 to push away each other.

Force is applied to the projections 125 in the right direction of FIG. 2, and accordingly the first supporting members 115 and the second supporting members 120 are deformed so that the projections 125 can move relatively in the right direction.

On the contrary, force is applied via the projections 125 to the insertion holes 145 of the second connecting body 130 in the left direction of FIG. 3, and accordingly the third supporting members 135 and the fourth supporting members 140 are deformed by the projections 125 so that the insertion holes 145 can move in the left direction.

Accordingly, if tensile force is applied to both ends E of the connecting unit 100, the total length of the connecting unit 100 is increased by the amount that the projections 125 and the insertion holes 145 are moved, and thus the tensile force can be accepted. In other words, the deformation of the first to fourth supporting members 115, 120, 135 and 140 allows the tensile force to be accepted.

Afterward, when the tensile force is gone, the first to fourth supporting members 115, 120, 135 and 140 returns as they were like in FIGS. 2 and 3, and the total length of the connecting unit 100 returns as it was.

Therefore, the connecting unit 100 according to the exemplary embodiment of the present invention can provide resilient expansion as the first and second connecting bodies are coupled with each other, by way of varying the deformation length in response to the magnitude of the tensile force applied to the both ends. Such resilient expansion is achieved by the structure of the first to fourth supporting members 115, 120, 135 and 140. If better resilient expandability is desired, it is preferable to make the first supporting bodies 110 and the second supporting bodies 130 with an elastic substance such as synthetic rubber.

FIG. 6 is a plan view schematically showing a first connecting body of a connecting unit according to another exemplary embodiment of the present invention.

The first connecting body 110 a of FIG. 6 has the same configuration as the first connecting body 110 of FIG. 2, except for the shapes of the first supporting members, the second supporting members and the projections. Therefore, descriptions will be made on the differences and will be omitted on the same elements.

For the first connecting body 110 a of FIG. 6, the first supporting member 115 a and the second supporting member 120 a have curved shapes. As the first supporting member 115 a and the second supporting member 120 a have curved shapes, they may provide a different aesthetic sense from that of the connecting unit 100 illustrated in FIGS. 1 to 5, and are considered to provide larger elastic force (i.e., a larger elastic coefficient). As such, by varying the shapes of the first supporting member 115 a and the second supporting member 120 a, the distribution of force becomes different. Accordingly, a desired resilient expansion can be achieved by adjusting the shapes.

The projections 125 a are arranged between intersections of the first supporting members 115 a and the second supporting members 120 a, and have the same configuration as the projections 125 of FIGS. 1 to 5, except for the shape. Accordingly, detailed descriptions on the projections 125 a will be omitted.

A second connecting body (not shown) has the same configuration as the first connecting body 110 a of FIG. 6, except for that the second connecting body have insertion holes at positions corresponding to where the first connecting body 110 a has the projections 125 a. Accordingly, detailed descriptions on the second connecting body will be omitted, and reference is made to the second connecting body 120 illustrated in FIGS. 1 to 5.

The above-described connecting units 100 and 100 a may be used to connect a first portion to a second portion in a releasably-engaging manner. For example, they can be applied to a cap 1 as shown in FIG. 5. If the connecting unit 110 or 110 a of the present invention is applied to the cap 1, it completes the encircling of a lower periphery of an opening 4 in the back of the cap 1, which is opposite to a visor 2, thereby adjusting the circumference of a crown 3.

In particular, if the connecting unit 100 or 100 a is applied to the cap 1, the circumference can be adjusted in a large range by changing the numbers of the projections 125 inserted into the insertion holes 145, and the circumference can be adjusted in a small range by the elastic force. Accordingly, it is possible to adjust the circumference in a large range while making it more comfortable to wear.

The applications of the connecting units 100 and 100 a of the present invention are not limited to caps. Any application that requires adjustment in connecting length along with resilient expansion may employ the connecting units 100 and 100 a of the present invention. For example, the connecting units 100 and 100 a of the present invention may be disposed on a tongue of an athletic shoe so as to adjust the tightness of the shoe, in place of a lace of an athletic shoe. Additionally, the connecting units 100 and 100 a of the present invention may be used to connect ends of a band around a wrist, an ankle or the like in a releasably-engaging manner. For another example, the connecting units 100 and 100 a of the present invention may be used to secure two pieces of a cloth together in a releasably-engaging manner, in place of buttons. For yet another example, the connecting units 100 and 100 a of the present invention may be used to connect chin straps of a cap such as helmet or a work cap in a releasably-engaging manner.

According to the present invention, a releasable connecting unit allows for adjustment in a longitudinal direction in a large range as well as in a small range by using resilient expansion, and accordingly it can fit a variety of different head sizes and is more comfortable to wear.

Although the exemplary embodiments of the present invention have been described with reference to the accompanying drawings, those skilled in the art would understand that various modifications and alterations may be made without departing from the technical idea or essential features of the present invention. Therefore, it should be understood that the above-mentioned embodiments are not limiting but illustrative in all aspects. 

What is claimed is:
 1. A releasably-engaging connecting unit comprising a first connecting body anchored to a first portion and a second connecting body anchored to a second portion so as to connect the first portion to the second portion in a releasably-engaging manner, wherein the first connecting body comprises: a first frame unit defining an elongated, outer periphery and comprising upper and lower frames; a plurality of first supporting members, each having two ends, one connected to the upper frame of the first frame unit and the other connected to the lower frame thereof, wherein the first supporting members are arranged at a regular distance and are inclined with respect to a center axis of the first frame unit in a longitudinal direction; a plurality of second supporting members, each having two ends, one connected to the upper frame of the first frame unit and the other connected to the lower frame thereof, wherein the second supporting members are arranged at a regular distance and are inclined with respect to the center axis of the first frame unit in the longitudinal direction, and wherein the second supporting members intersect the first supporting members; and a plurality of projections arranged at a regular distance on a straight line connecting intersections of the first supporting members and the second supporting members, and secured to the first supporting members and to the second supporting members, and wherein the second connecting body comprises a plurality of insertions holes at positions corresponding to position where the plurality of projections is formed.
 2. The connecting unit according to claim 1, wherein the second connecting body comprises: a second frame unit defining an elongated, outer periphery and comprising upper and lower frames; a plurality of third supporting members, each having two ends, one connected to the upper frame of the first frame unit and the other connected to the lower frame thereof, wherein the third supporting members are arranged at a regular distance and are inclined with respect to a center axis of the second frame unit in a longitudinal direction; and a plurality of fourth supporting members, each having two ends, one connected to the upper frame of the first frame unit and the other connected to the lower frame thereof, wherein the fourth supporting members are arranged at a regular distance and are inclined with respect to the center axis of the second frame unit in the longitudinal direction, and wherein the fourth supporting members intersecting the third supporting members, wherein the plurality of insertion holes are formed between intersections of the third supporting members and the fourth supporting members.
 3. The connecting unit according to claim 2, wherein the arrangement of the first supporting members and the second supporting members of the first connecting body is identical to the arrangement of the third supporting members and the fourth supporting members of the second connecting body.
 4. The connecting unit according to claim 1, wherein the first and second supporting members have a straight line shape and are symmetric to each other with respect to the center axis of the first frame unit in the longitudinal direction.
 5. The connecting unit according to claim 1, wherein the projections are arranged on intersections of the first supporting members and the second supporting members or are arranged on sub-supporting bodies occupying spaces between intersections of the first supporting members and the second supporting members.
 6. The connecting unit according to claim 3, wherein the first and second supporting members have a straight line shape and are symmetric to each other with respect to the center axis of the first frame unit in the longitudinal direction, and wherein the projections have a rectangular cross-section, each having a shoulder portion formed at an end thereof.
 7. The connecting unit according to claim 1, wherein the first connecting body is made of an elastic material.
 8. The connecting unit according to claim 2, wherein the first connecting body and the second connecting body are made of elastic materials.
 9. A cap, comprising the releasably-engaging connecting unit according to any one of claims 1 to
 8. 